HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes-09/06/2006 `► City of Tiffn
Planning and Zoning Commission
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
6:30 p.m. Tiffin Fire Station
Call to Order
Minutes
° Old Business
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Review Duplexes on Corner Lots of R-1 Residential Zones
Begin Study of Public Areas in Future Land Use Plan
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Begin Study of Trailing System in Future Land Use Plan
3 New Business
Adjournment
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Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission September 6, 2006
A regular meeting of the Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission was brought to order
by Melvin.Reeve;6:30 p.m. at the Tiffin City Hall. Members present: Melvin Reeve,;
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.Stephanie Surine, Shawna Colvin and Terry Richardson. Absent: Steve Berner. Also
present: .Mayor Glenn R. Potter, Karin Dils, Ruth Demuth and Mark Petersen.
} Motion Surine, second Richardson to approve minutes with correction noted. Ayes:
Surine, Richardson, Reeve and Colvin. Absent: Berner. Motion carried:
Colvin has received comment on the proposed location for Forevergreen across the top of
the city. Colvin asked if the location was as shown or if adjustment in the routing could
be made later. Some concern that the westerly end of proposed Forevergreen was further
j south than might be-desired. Dils explained that the route location could be changed
later. One reason the city has proceeded with a preliminary plan for locating the
Forevergreen extension is that getting the route on the niap makes it possible for the route
to be placed on county planning maps and eligible for any type of area-wide grant
possibilities that might'come up in the future. One main concern today is improvement
of Forevergreen in the region of I-380 because of new school transportation routes.
Locating a school on the east side of I-380 as proposed by the school will increase the
need for improvement of routes returning to Tiffin on the west side of I-380.
Shawna reported that the roadway directly in front of the new proposed elementary in
North Liberty will be improved by the City of North Liberty, however the remainder of
f " the road to the location is at this time unplanned for improvements.
Members considered the idea of allowing duplexes on corner lots of R-1 single family
zones. The developer has requested the city to consider a change that would allow this
possibility. Colvin said she would prefer to see duplexes on corner lots as compared to
seeing a row of duplexes going down the street that are ugly and all the same. Members
considered that single family owners may not be'aware that a duplex could be in a corner
lot when they are in a single-family district and be angry to find that later. Another
concern that if duplexes were allowed on corners, every corner would then turn into a
duplex because of economics, thus causing some concern for devaluation in a single-
R family zone. Another problem may be in infrastructure placement. Sewer lines may
-only include one hook up when two could be needed later. This could cause problems if
people try to circumvent utility lines already in place. If lines are owned conjointly then-
arguments at the time of repairs could be a problem. The idea would cause more
variances, a meeting for each'variance, more paperwork and more public hearings with
the opportunity that the public would not find out until too late that their areas is affected
4 by this change, resulting in angry public.
Motion Surien, second Richarson to not recommend a change in the subdivision
ordinance for the purpose of making it possible to include duplexes on corner lots of an
R-1 zone, due to an increase in infrastructure, paper work and neighbor confusion. This
kind of change could cause hook up problems for_utilities, increase paper load effort for
the city,and cause angry citizens. Ayes: Surine, Richardson, and Reeve. Nay: Colvin.
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Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission September 6, 2006
'Colvin noted that she felt a mixture of housing would be preferable to row zoning of
duplexes. Motion carried.
Designation of Public Areas in new developments was discussed by the commission.
Other communities mark off trail routes and public areas. Some cities use this as a •
guideline, others as a rule. Sidewalks needed at the new school were'considered.
Trailing to Kent Park has been included in the county trail plan. Trail could follow •
Highway 6 or the Clear Creek, The IDOT'grant pedestrian bridge for the City Park
,should begin October 1 but does not include walkway.,.
Commission members discussed need for public areas in all new developments.
Motion Surine, second Colvin that an amendment to the subdivision ordinance to be
approved stipulating that no new detention ponds be accepted by the city and that% 5
public area(or equivalent value)be a requirement for all new areas. The city should not
accept any public park space that is under water. Ayes: Richardson, Colvin, Surine and
Reeve. Absent: Berner. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Members noted a 2 foot gap in sidewalks within Phased of Timber Ridge. Asked how
t; this could happen. If improvements are accepted by the.engineer, how could these gaps
be in the subdivision. Request to engineer. •
Trail and sidewalk map was provided to commission by Karin Dils. Members will take
time to review what they think should be routing of the city.
Members have received the amended zoning ordinance and will continue review for.
omissions and corrections.
{ School access for the new Deer View and high school were discussed. IDOT will be
meeting-with city, school and developers. Need for bus'turning lanes is seen for the
location. IDOT prefers that access openings be a-least 1300 feet apart.
Motion Richardson, second Colvin to adjourn. Motion carried. 7:30 p.m.
Margaret B. Reihman .
City Clerk
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